Eating Disorders

Overview

Different diagnoses have different first-line treatments. Weight restoration in anorexia is non-negotiable before psychotherapy gains traction. Bulimia and BED respond well to enhanced CBT.

First-line treatments

• CBT — Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

  CBT-E (enhanced) — strongest evidence for bulimia, BED, and non-underweight AN.

• DBT — Dialectical Behavior Therapy

  DBT for binge eating and bulimia with strong affect dysregulation.

Also consider

• IFS

  Parts work with the eating-disorder voice as a protector.

• Schema

  Chronic, treatment-resistant eating disorders with characterological features.

• CFT

  Targets shame and self-criticism that maintain restriction and bingeing.

• Narrative

  Externalizing anorexia is a classic narrative intervention.

Cautions

• Medical stabilization comes first. Coordinate with medical team and dietitian.
• FBT (Maudsley) is first-line for adolescent AN and not covered here — refer when indicated.

Related tools

• Assessments

Related worksheets

• Inner Critic Dialogue
• Shame Resilience Map
• Self-Compassion Break
• Weekly Mood & Energy Tracker